Tell 'm like it is, HTC. "HTC is disappointed at Apple's constant attempts at litigations instead of competing fairly in the market," said HTC general counsel Grace Lei in a statement, "HTC strongly denies all infringement claims raised by Apple in the past and present and reiterates our determination and commitment to protect our intellectual property rights."

The Wright Brothers actually tried to ban other aircraft makers using patent law. The US government stepped in and forced all US aircraft manufacturers to pool all their patents. A small fee per aircraft was then charged to use any of these patents.